<p><strong>The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has dismissed allegations by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) that it is exceeding its statutory mandate by participating in the proposed National Learner Identification Number (LIN) initiative.</strong></p>
<p>NANS, in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, had rejected the proposed LIN, describing it as unnecessary and potentially duplicative of the National Identification Number (NIN).</p><p class="ari-link"><strong>Read also:</strong> <a href="https://sparknewsdaily.com.ng/fg-approves-upgrade-of-four-ports-targets-wider-maritime-trade-network/">FG Approves Upgrade of Four Ports, Targets Wider Maritime Trade Network</a></p>
<p>The students’ body had also questioned NOA’s involvement, alleging that the agency was championing an identification system outside its statutory mandate.</p>
<p>However, Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the agency neither originated nor has the authority to implement the LIN initiative.</p>
<p>Issa-Onilu explained that NOA’s involvement was limited to its statutory responsibility of communicating government policies, programmes and activities to citizens while facilitating engagement between the government and the people.</p>
<p>He said the agency’s communication mandate covers government policies and programmes generally and is not restricted to initiatives formulated or implemented by NOA.</p>
<p>“As the primary government agency responsible for public orientation, NOA works across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that citizens receive accurate, timely and understandable information about government policies, programmes and activities,” he said.</p>
<p>The NOA boss stressed that there is a clear distinction between policy formulation, implementation and communication, noting that the authorities responsible for the LIN initiative remain in charge of its formulation and implementation.</p><p class="ari-link"><strong>Read also:</strong> <a href="https://sparknewsdaily.com.ng/peter-obi-gives-reason-for-attending-makindes-campaign-office-launch/">Peter Obi gives reason for attending Makinde’s campaign office launch</a></p></p>
<p>According to him, NOA’s role is to explain the policy to Nigerians in clear and accessible terms and provide platforms for citizens to express their views, concerns and reactions.</p>
<p>He said the approach was consistent with the agency’s renewed public engagement strategy, including its “Pulse of the Nation” reports, which capture citizens’ opinions and reactions and communicate them back to government.</p>
<p>Issa-Onilu acknowledged NANS as an important stakeholder whose views should be considered on policies affecting students, but urged the association to direct its concerns about LIN to the appropriate government institution.</p>
<p>He maintained that communicating a government policy does not amount to formulating, imposing or implementing it.</p>
<p>“NOA’s role is to ensure that citizens understand what government is doing, why it is doing it and how they can engage with it. This is fundamentally different from being the institution that formulates or implements the policy,” he said.</p>
<p>The Director-General urged NANS and other stakeholders to distinguish between the institution driving a government policy and the agency responsible for communicating such policies to the public.</p>
<p class="ari-link"><strong>Read also:</strong> <a href="https://sparknewsdaily.com.ng/oyetola-ends-20-years-of-delay-in-cvff-disbursement-orders-fast-track-for-shipowners/">Oyetola Ends 20 Years of Delay in CVFF Disbursement, Orders Fast-Track for Shipowners</a></p><p>He further assured that NOA remains open to constructive engagement with NANS, students and other stakeholders on the proposed LIN, including concerns over its relationship with the NIN.</p>
<p>Issa-Onilu said such engagement was central to NOA’s role as a bridge between government and citizens and should not be interpreted as an overreach of its statutory responsibilities.</p>

NOA Fires Back at NANS Over Learner ID, Says ‘We’re Not Implementing LIN’
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